Set Sail from the UK in 2026
Confidently match clients to the right 2026 UK sailing with our expert agent tips, features, and sales support tools.
Sell More Sailings from the UK in 2026
Southampton continues to shine as the UK’s premier embarkation port for the 2026 cruise season, offering unbeatable convenience paired with standout vessels across global brands.
From luxe modern liners to family‑themed favourites and adult‑only escapes, each ship in this guide brings unique selling power to your agent toolkit, perfect for pitching to diverse guest profiles and maximising your bookings.

Ships Sailing from Southampton in 2026
Key info on ships sailing from the UK in 2026 plus important agent selling tips.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex® is sailing from Southampton in summer 2026 with sailings to destinations like the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean, and the British Isles. This cutting-edge Edge‑class ship features stunning innovations like the cantilevered “Magic Carpet,” multi-contact suites in The Retreat®, AquaClass spa staterooms, and world-class dining.
- Architectural wow-factor: Sell the "Magic Carpet" vistas and luxe Retreat® experience.
- Segmented luxury: Ideal for high-net-worth clients who expect top-tier amenities.
- Versatile Europe routes: From fjords to Iberia; great cross-sell potential.
Disney Dream
Disney Dream returns to the UK in summer 2026, departing from Southampton on 3-, 4-, and 7-night sailings to the Norwegian Fjords, Western Europe, and British Isles. The ship features family-centric highlights like the AquaDuck water coaster, themed dining, from Conversations in cars to Animator’s Palate, and the adults-only Europa District.
- Brand-mined family magnet: Instantly appealing to parents and Disney fans alike.
- Short cruise flexibility: Mini‑cruise formats open doors to hesitant first-timers.
- Lifestyle appeal: Perfect for trend-seeking, experience-driven clients.
Liberty Of The Seas
The newly “Amplified” Liberty of the Seas® departs Southampton in summer 2026, offering vibrant Northern Europe itineraries; think Bruges, Hamburg, and scenic fjord journeys. Its refreshed design includes adrenaline-pumping water slides like The Perfect Storm™,
reimagined dining options, and Broadway-style stage shows.
- Action-packed onboard draws: Water attractions and theatre-level entertainment sell themselves.
- No‑fly access: Practical and attractive for UK clients avoiding flights.
- Reinvigorated favourite: Great for upselling returning cruisers to a refreshed experience.
Resilient Lady
Resilient Lady, Virgin Voyages’ adult‑only flagship, embodies a fresh, design-forward cruise experience. Resilient Lady offers a “rockstar” retreat with modular suites, VIP-style access, inclusive dining across 20+ restaurants, entertainment like DJ nights and late-night pizza parlors, all wrapped in an all‑in price model.
- Adult‑only differentiation: Cleanly positions for couples or adult groups seeking a kid-free vibe.
- All-inclusive simplicity: Easy pitch - fare covers nearly everything.
- Lifestyle appeal: Perfect for trend-seeking, experience-driven clients.
MSC Virtuosa
MSC Virtuosa, a Meraviglia‑Plus class ship, sails from Southampton during summer 2026 on routes spanning Northern Europe, the Canaries, and the Mediterranean. Renowned for its Galleria Virtuosa promenade, sprawling water parks, versatile dining options, including
Teppanyaki and steakhouse specialities, and family-friendly amenities.
- Family-scale, multi-gen design: Built for high-volume bookings - perfect for multi-generational groups.
- Retail and dining variety: Onboard monetisation is a real bonus (shopping, gourmet dining).
- Flexibility in lengths: From short hops to extended voyages - appeals to broad guest needs.